On October 6, 2025, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill No. 628 into law.  This bill amends California Civil Code section 1941.1 to require landlords to provide a stove, a refrigerator to California tenants.  California Civil Code § 1941.1(a)(10), (11).  The appliances must work as intended.  However, the landlord and tenant may agree to permit the tenant to waive this requirement, as to refrigerator, and, “bring your own refrigerator.” (“BYOR”).  However, they must include in their written lease agreement a provision indicating that the California tenant will, “bring [their] own refrigerator,” and that the California tenant is, “responsible for keeping that refrigerator in working order.”  California Civil Code § 1941.1(a)(11)(B)(i).  Should the California tenant desire to terminate BYOR and have the landlord provide a refrigerator, they may do so provided the California tenant provides thirty (30) days written notice that they no longer desire to BYOR.   At the end of the thirty (30) day period, the landlord shall install a functional refrigerator.  Please be advised that this new law applies to tenancies created, or leases amended or extended on or after January 1, 2026.  California Civil Code § 1941.1(a)(11)(C).  This subsection of Civil Code section 1941.1 does not apply to permanent supportive housing, as defined in Government Code section 8698.4(c)(2), a single-room occupancy unit that provides living and sleeping space for the exclusive use of the occupant, units in residential hotels, as defined by Health & Safety Code section 50519(1)(b), and a unit within a shared or communal kitchen housing facility, including units in assisted living facilities.  California Civil Code § 1941.1(b).  Finally, this law affirmatively requires landlords to replace or repair stoves and refrigerators subject to manufacturer or public entity (government) recalls within thirty (30) days of receiving notice of the recall.  California Civil Code § 1941.1(c).  California tenants with dilapidated and nonfunctional refrigerators and stoves that the landlord will not replace or repair may consider checking for applicable recalls with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Recalls.Gov, or the OECD and forwarding them to their landlord or property manager.  With this new law, California tenants should no longer have any issues keeping their food hot and cold.